The College Football Thread

[Aragorn]

The OSU suspensions didn't start at the Sugar Bowl because the Sugar Bowl told the NCAA they didn't want a neutered OSU for the game. It's all about the $$$$$$.

Sugar Bowl CEO Paul Hoolahan:

"I made the point that anything that could be done to preserve the integrity of this year's game, we would greatly appreciate it. That appeal did not fall on deaf ears, and I'm extremely excited about it, that the Buckeyes are coming in at full strength and with no dilution."

If OSU hadn't been playing in a BCS bowl, those players would've been suspended for the bowl game.

 

[Neroon]

I know, and I understand the motivations behind it... not that it makes me happy.

Question on rules, on the blocked punt.. could the guy who recovered it have advanced the ball to the end zone?

 

[Starbreaker]

If he had scooped it up and not fallen on it, yes.

 

[Neroon]

If he had scooped it up and not fallen on it, yes.

OF course, since this is college ball. But the way the announcers and Colin Blowhard have been going it sounded like they thought he should have been able to run it in and made a critical error by not doing so.

 

[Starbreaker]

I would have probably fallen on it too... better safe than sorry.

 

[Neroon]

I would have probably fallen on it too... better safe than sorry.

Definitely. How many times have we seen a team miss out on a golden opportunity because the player was trying to get control of the ball and run with it at the same time?

 

[JM1776]

I would have probably fallen on it too... better safe than sorry.

Definitely. How many times have we seen a team miss out on a golden opportunity because the player was trying to get control of the ball and run with it at the same time?

Hmm. A fourth down punt block tends to be an exception to that axiom, because no matter who recovers, it's the defense's ball—unless an offensive player scoops it up then scrambles for a first down, the likelihood of which is often essentially nil.

I didn't see the game. Was it fourth down? If so, Arkansas' special teams are, arguably, not very well coached.

 

[Neroon]

The rule seems to indicate that the Arkansas player was down, since he is on the ground when he obtained possession. He could not have gotten up and run. What he should have done instead was to scoop the ball up and keep running. Had he muffed that, it's still 4th down and OSU has to give up possession anyway should the Arkansas player go down before the end zone. That changes if Arkansas has possession and loses it. OSU would regain possession then. Even then, OSU could have advanced it had Arkansas not been able to obtain control after the block and OSU regained possession.

There is wisdom in both responses, I suppose. Personally, I can't fault the player for it. He was making a fundamentally sound play, and wit the way the Arkansas offense was going....

 

[Aragorn]

Andrew Luck is returning to Stanford next season.

I wonder if that increases or decreases the chance for one of the other first round QBs to get stuck with Buffalo.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

For those interested, the 2011 Division I - FCS Championship game is on tomorrow at 7pm.

The University of Delaware Blue Hens will be playing the Eastern Washington University Eagles.

 

[Thestral]

Good for Luck.

We shall not speak of the Music City Bowl ending. The second one I mean.

I probably won't watch it, but good luck UD!

 

[Starbreaker]

I don't blame Luck. I wouldn't want to go to the Panthers either.

 

[Aragorn]

But the Raiders haven't traded their 2012 first round draft pick (yet), so that could be a much worse fate for Luck. Buffalo drafting a QB this year would help him out though.

 

[Neroon]

History was made tonight in college football, as my alma mater the Miami University Redskins beat Middle Tennessee St, 35-21. With that win tonight, Miami became the FIRST Div 1 team to go from double digit losses in one season to double digit WINS in the very next!

 

[Aragorn]

Redskins? For a college mascot? How did that happen? In this OC day and age, I'd expect it to be forcefully replaced with Miami Turtles or Miami Friendship or Miami Cute Babies.

 

[Neroon]

Well that was their ORIGINAL nickname and that pic is their original logo. A few years ago began the push to a more pc nick, hence "RedHawks". They were the Redskins in my college days, so I will always think of them that way.

 

[JM1776]

Yep. Just as they'll always be the St. John's Redmen to me. That Red Storm shit just doesn't cut it.

 

[Starbreaker]

The Ole' Miss Rebels mascot wasn't allowed in the stadium this year.

 

[El Lagarto]

What a wild & weird season of college football! A few thoughts:

1. With the continued dominance of the SEC, how long until the rest of the country gives up playing football? LOL When the same conference wins the championship every year, at least it takes the wind out of the sails of the playoff argument.

2. Poor Oregon doesn't stand a chance in the bowl game. Auburn is head and shoulders above the Ducks, any way you look at it. This could get ugly quick. Oregon is not going to have an answer for the best O-Line in football blocking for the best back in football. I think what's going to shock people the most is how Auburn is going to shut down the Oregon offense. Mark it down: they won't score 20 points. The final score of Auburn's coronation is going to be something like 45-17.

3. Auburn's national championship is great for the school, and especially Cam, who has had some of the most vile, scum-of-the-earth sportswriters trying to tarnish his season and career. What should have been the feel-good story of the year has been turned into a circus by these low-lifes. This BCS championship makes it that much sweeter, though.

4. It's a joke that after all the conspiracy theories of Auburn's supposed violations, Ohio State actually commits real violations, and the players still play in the bowl. Ohio St should sell its Sugar Bowl trophy, and send the money to the NCAA, because I think this is the year they actually win a post-season game against the SEC. You ca't lose EVERY year, and I think Arkansas is a bit over-rated.

Auburn fan, I take it?



Oregon will run all over them. It'll be 17-0 before Cam's check clears.

I disagree.

Anyone who knows football knows the game is won and lost on the line of scrimmage. Auburn's linemen are 15-20 lbs heavier than their counterparts, and will push them around all night long. The caliber of athlete Auburn is able to recruit, being in SEC territory, is far superior to that of Oregon. Of Oregon's starting 22, all but maybe 3 or 4 would be on the sideline watching if they played for Auburn. Oregon ball carriers will be shocked to find they are being run down from behind by Tiger Defensive Linemen.

Also, I just don't see how the Ducks will handle Cam, who has proven to be one of the all time greats. His heart and leadership will be on display on the national stage. He won't be denied. He'll have such a huge game, Oregon players will be asking for his autograph afterwards to hang in their dorms.

I just don't see Oregon as a legit National Championship contender. I think they've played a weak schedule in a weak conference (they'd probably finish 3rd in the SEC West, and would run a close race with South Carolina in the East}. I also think they're soft - once Auburn hits them a time or two, they'll quit. The game will be over by the 4th quarter, so maybe Oregon will score a time or two on Auburn's 2nd & 3rd strings to make the score respectable. There is just too big a gap in talent between the two teams.

Of course, there's no sure thing in sports, but this one is as close to one as it gets.

 

[chineserapper05]

Texas A&M football, big games, and national tv do not mix.